Meeting at Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires

Professor Carlos Brebbia visited the Hospital Italiano Research facilities in Buenos Aires. The Meeting was hosted by Dr Daniel Luna, Chair of the HealthInformatics Department.

Carlos gave a Powerpoint presentation on the objectives of the Wessex Institute of Technology, and the importance of the Boundary Element Method in bio-engineering. He described some numerical experiments that can be carried out using a BEM Model of the human body or parts of it, such as the eye and other organs. Specific effects included the effects of different types of radiation on the body, including electromagnetic waves of various frequencies. Carlos explained how different parts of the human body can be modelled and then analysed to predict what is happening, using the properties of tissues, fluids, etc.

Carlos also mentioned WIT’s interest in Rapid Manufacturing, which relates to the design and analysis of implants. One can predict the life of an implant by using fatigue curves, combined with crack propagation.

Dr Luna explained that his research unit is interested in the preparation of patient records with a view to using them in data mining at a later date. Another important area of research is visualisation for surgical purposes, including computer robotic surgery.

The visit was highly successful and it is hoped that it will lead to further collaboration.